2018 Volume 7 Issue 3 Pages 110-118
Purpose: The object of this research was to describe what it means for elderly people to participate in community activities, to explore social context in the background of community activity that builds social capital.
Method: Using ethnographic principles, I collected and analyzed data from semi-structured interviews with 12 people, participant observation, district survey, and informal interviews, all data being taken from one district in A village.
Results: Interviews showed that, for the elderly participation in community activities means “changing their lives, discovering a new self”, and “regaining a sense of connection with others in the community”. In addition, participation “making them feel peace, being supported by others, and giving them something to live for”.
Discussion: The results indicated that social context, such as environmental and life history, is closely linked to the meaning of participation in community activity for elderly people. The elderly can regain connectedness with trust and reciprocity, find peace, and develop a zest for life through concerned action, reminiscing about memories of Yui (the traditional community mutual-aid system), and re-experiencing what had been lost in community activity. It also appeared that their social character was changed by joint experience in community activity, and new selves were discovered.
